Overview
- The two teams meet at Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with U.S. TV coverage on FS1 and streaming via FOX platforms.
- South Korea qualified by finishing in the top two of AFC third-round qualifying to extend an 11-tournament World Cup streak and will be led by captain Son Heung-min.
- Czechia returns to the World Cup after a 20-year absence after winning a decisive penalty shootout over Denmark and arrives with a mostly fit, confidence-boosted squad.
- Betting markets posted on June 10 at FanDuel list South Korea at +165, Czechia at +185 and the draw at +210 while anytime-scorer props price Son Heung-min and Patrik Schick at +200.
- Pre-match analysis flags South Korea’s defensive disruption from recent injuries and Czechia’s physical attack as the key tactical matchup that could leave this opener tight and low on goals.